Built as a coastal submarine based on the doubled hulled V class with a few minor improvements. The main improvement being the addition of a stern torpedo tube. Only three were built out of the ten ordered.
After trials F1 was given larger hydroplanes and substantial plane guards
F1 and F3 were fitted with Vickers diesels, whilst F2 was fitted with MAN diesels built under licence by Whites. These boats saw little in the way of war service apart from some local defence work and were quickly disposed of.
Five further boats F4 to F8 were cancelled after the outbreak of war.
Primarily used for coastal defence. All three of the class survived the war and ended their service as training boats at Campbeltown.
Chapter 5 - Double-Hull Submarines
The Development of HM Submarines from Holland 1 (1901) to Porpoise (1930)
Chapter 6: Double-Hull Coastal Types - S, V, W and F Classes
The Development of HM Submarines from Holland 1 (1901) to Porpoise (1930)
Further Reading |
|
| Harwich Submarines in the Great War |
Mark Harris / Rear Admiral Jonathan Westbrook CBE The authoritative story of the Royal Navy's first submarine campaign, told using new research. The Harwich Submarine Flotilla played a key role establishing British dominance in the North Sea at the beginning of the First World War. Letters, diaries, memoirs and combat reports of the participants are used to give a complete account. |
W 4 |
|
| Class: | 1914 - 1916: W Class |
| Built By: | |
| Build Group: | W Group 2 |
|
Fate: To Italy 7th August 1916. Sunk by mine off Capo Rodoni in August of 1917. |
|
Of all the acts of gallantry in World War II few were as audacious as the attack by midget submarines on the pride of the German fleet, the battleship Tirpitz, lying in her fortified mooring in a Norwegian fjord.
Lieutenant Godfrey Place was in command of submarine X7 in September 1943 and travelled over 1000 miles, negotiating minefields and antisubmarine nets to accurately place four tons of high explosive under the hull of the Tirpitz.
12 pages added or updated in the last Array month
Please help to maintain this site by reporting any Errors, Broken Links, Information or Site Issues on this page using this button
If you find this site useful, please consider supporting my work with a small Donation.
Please Note: Donations made using this option go directly to the site owner and not to the Submariners Association.
Thankyou for your support.
Chapter 5 - Double-Hull Submarines
The Development of HM Submarines from Holland 1 (1901) to Porpoise (1930)
Chapter 6: Double-Hull Coastal Types - S, V, W and F Classes
The Development of HM Submarines from Holland 1 (1901) to Porpoise (1930)
Further Reading |
|
| Harwich Submarines in the Great War |
|
Mark Harris / Rear Admiral Jonathan Westbrook CBE The authoritative story of the Royal Navy's first submarine campaign, told using new research. The Harwich Submarine Flotilla played a key role establishing British dominance in the North Sea at the beginning of the First World War. Letters, diaries, memoirs and combat reports of the participants are used to give a complete account. |
W 4 |
|
| Class: | 1914 - 1916: W Class |
| Built By: | |
| Build Group: | W Group 2 |
|
Fate: To Italy 7th August 1916. Sunk by mine off Capo Rodoni in August of 1917. |
|
Of all the acts of gallantry in World War II few were as audacious as the attack by midget submarines on the pride of the German fleet, the battleship Tirpitz, lying in her fortified mooring in a Norwegian fjord.
Lieutenant Godfrey Place was in command of submarine X7 in September 1943 and travelled over 1000 miles, negotiating minefields and antisubmarine nets to accurately place four tons of high explosive under the hull of the Tirpitz.
12 pages added or updated in the last Array month
Please help to maintain this site by reporting any Errors, Broken Links, Information or Site Issues on this page using this button
If you find this site useful, please consider supporting my work with a small Donation.
Please Note: Donations made using this option go directly to the site owner and not to the Submariners Association.
Thankyou for your support.